The Richland County Elections Board's first meeting since learning about 1,040 uncounted votes that led to the resignation of its director was 45 minutes of chaos that included several shouting matches.

The debate over what type of new voting machines South Carolina should purchase may be vexing lawmakers in the Statehouse, but many county election officials have reached one consensus: the state needs new polling equipment and soon.

The relationship between South Carolina's director of elections and the country's largest voting equipment company has caught the attention of lawmakers as the state prepares to spend a proposed $60 million to replace 13,000 voting machines.